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Re: “”

20080701 - Here we are again, rockin' and bluesin' at The Royal Place on Rt. 88, Library Rd. This was the 5th Tuesday of Pgh's newest blues open stage jam session and again it brought out some fine local talent. The evening was poised to be memorable as a very talented young guitar player showed up with his twin brother and a bass player and had us all rockin'. Amazing these kids were 13 and 14 years old!!. I will get back to them in a moment but the reason they showed us was to take part in the upcoming tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughn guitar competition for young musicians being put together by the exhaustive efforts of Smilin' Dave. Anyway, Randell Troy started out the first set with some blistering guitar work and melodic vocals while "Alley Cat" Harry McCorkle finished it up with his unique earthly vocals, go Harry! Now, back to the young musicians, the second set consisted of Jake and Josh Shawhan, twins(13) on guitar and drums with Wade Wiseman(14) on bass. These kids blew us away with a few heavy metal tunes and they were awesome having only been playing just over a year or so, unbelievable. Don't worry, we're going to convert them to the blues, what a future they are going to have. But you know, this is the magic of open stage where we can be fortunate to see and hear and expose such fine young talent right here in Pgh. I talked to their parents with envy and you could just see how proud are of these wonderful young musicians. From the moment the stage got set up, and they had to wait about 45 minutes till the end of the first set, young Josh, had his guitar shouldered and couldn't wait to jump on stage, hats off to them and their parents. They have a band also, they are known as "Falling Upward" Not present that evening was their lead singer, Jalen Reed, honorably mentioned, however Dale Baranauskas did fill in and that was pretty kool. He also sat in on drums on a later set, damm fine drummer. The second set had Ron Zanskia on drums, Mike Danza on bass and Frank Moon on guitar and these guys were doing some fine blues rifts and some of the musicians were changing so fast it was hard to keep up with their names so if I missed any, or misspelled any names, my apologies. Next we had Bill Couch on acoustic guitar give us a few tunes and some impromptu comedy lyrics as well. What a variety the magic of open stage brings to bear. The next set had Randy Mckee on harp, Frank Joeseph, harp, sax and vocals, Kentucky Jim, guitar, Mike Panza, basss and Dale Baranauskas on drums. Derek Toa also joined back in for a flury of some of the fine blues jamming and we still had more artist waiting to get on stage, wow! The last set Dave and the guys retook the stage and Kate Simone joined in with her usual sensual, bluesy, wonderful vocals, always a pleasure to hear and watch her sing. This gal has it in her soul, remember her name, you will see it more down the road. What a night, we had open stage, "Falling Upward" fine young talent, the regulars, new faces, a broad spectrum of talents and musicians, and you missed it!
http://www.pittsburghbluesconnection.com

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20080725 - Ms. Freddye and Blue Faze at Sassy Marie's - Another night of great live blues in the "Burgh". I arrived there just as the first set was concluding but they were already jamming and blues'n and the crowd was loving it. The awe of Ms. Freddye's ability to interact and mesmerize the crowd is nothing short of enchanting. I just love her, and I have to tell you, John Erskine on drums, tight, Jason Caliguri on guitar, tight, Keith Gamble on bass, tight, all very tight!!!! Tonight was the first night of the Pgh. Blues Festival but there was no place I'd rather be than with Ms. Freddye and the guys at this wonderful club. Certainly I have to mention Sassy Marie's , without a doubt, this venue on the northside is just addicting, I mean, I just love going there and listening to live music in the downstairs "speakeasy", they have well stocked bar, great food, cozy and enchanting atmosphere, wonderful staff, what's not to like? Visit there web site for more entertainment news, there is plenty! Now, back to the band, Ms. Freddye did "Just Won't Burn" just for me, um hum, and melted my blues away. Go to her MYSPACE page and you can hear this and other wonderful songs she performs effortlessly and she will captivate your soul. Let me also mention, honorably, her other member of the band, the harp man extraordinaire, Chris Nacy of (Izzy & Chris), you already know him, was out of town but you can catch him with the band on other occasions or just check his MYSPACE. What an evening, check my calendar, check her site, just get your gal and check it out, dinner, drinks and LIVE Blues, what else is there? Blues On!

20080725 - Ms. Freddye and Blue Faze at Sassy Marie's - Another night of great live blues in the "Burgh". I arrived there just as the first set was concluding but they were already jamming and blues'n and the crowd was loving it. The awe of Ms. Freddye's ability to interact and mesmerize the crowd is nothing short of enchanting. I just love her, and I have to tell you, John Erskine on drums, tight, Jason Caliguri on guitar, tight, Keith Gamble on bass, tight, all very tight!!!! Tonight was the first night of the Pgh. Blues Festival but there was no place I'd rather be than with Ms. Freddye and the guys at this wonderful club. Certainly I have to mention Sassy Marie's , without a doubt, this venue on the northside is just addicting, I mean, I just love going there and listening to live music in the downstairs "speakeasy", they have well stocked bar, great food, cozy and enchanting atmosphere, wonderful staff, what's not to like? Visit there web site for more entertainment news, there is plenty! Now, back to the band, Ms. Freddye did "Just Won't Burn" just for me, um hum, and melted my blues away. Go to her MYSPACE(http://www.myspace.com/bluefaze page and you can hear this and other wonderful songs she performs effortlessly and she will captivate your soul. Let me also mention, honorably, her other member of the band, the harp man extraordinaire, Chris Nacy of (Izzy & Chris), you already know him, was out of town but you can catch him with the band on other occasions or just check his MYSPACE(http://wwwmyspace.com/issyandchris. What an evening, check my calendar, check her site, just get your gal and check it out, dinner, drinks and LIVE Blues, what else is there? Blues On!
http://www.PittsburghBluesConnection.com

20080614 - Olga Watkins & The Soul Kitchen Band were at Sassy Marie's on Pgh's Northside and I have to tell you, this woman sings like an angle! It was only through a twist of fate that I happen to be there that night as we were having a meeting for the B.S.W.P.A(join now!), and as the meeting ended she and the band got right to business cranking out some damm fine music. I can say that because this is my site but it is also right on target. The drummer, the bass player, the guitar player, they all are very very good and I can tell you I will endeavor to see them again, as should you. Next time you take your gal/wife/other, out for an evening, check out Olga Watkins & The Soul Kitchen Band. Oh, almost forgot, Sassy Marie's, this is an elegant venue, sophisticated, romantic, (downstairs)/w/the band, the food is excellent and you just can't go wrong. So get up, get out and go see some blues bands at Sassy Marie's.

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Posted by
John E. Reilly
on 07/30/2008 at 1:16 PM

Re: “”

20080617 - Smilin' Dave & Friends, This was the third Tuesday open Blues Jam Session that rocked the house from 8:30PM to 12:30AM where at least 15 of the finest of Pittsburgh blues musicians strolled in and got down with the band. This event just started and already it is a success. Get up, get out and get over to The Royal Place every Tuesday night for LIVE, FREE, BLUES MUSIC!!
The food is great, the wings are awesome(HUGE!), ample parking, NO COVER, great LIVE MUSIC!!
www.PittsburghBluesConnection.com for all your blues information.

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Posted by
John E. Reilly
on 06/18/2008 at 2:23 PM

Re: “”

Hello, note Smilin' Dave & Friends will be hosting an open blues jam session every Tuesday night. Dave, Harry, Derek and Randell, I have heard them play and you are in for some of the finest live blues music in the "Burg". No Cover, ample parking, come out and support the blues and have some fun!
For more details, visit; PittsburghBluesConnection.com

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Posted by
John E. Reilly
on 06/09/2008 at 2:55 PM

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